Abstract: Coking coal is preheated in a fluidization chamber which houses a rotary percussion grinder and into the bottom of which a vertical pipe leads from a combustion chamber. Coal is introduced into the pipe and is entrained by gas in the pipe which gas subsequently acts as fluidization agent in the fluidization chamber. A main burner and an auxiliary burner in the combustion chamber are regulated by regulating the supply of combustion air so that the gas in the pipe is substantially neutral, and regulating the fuel supply in dependence on the temperature in the fluidization chamber. Preheated ground coal entrained in gas is led from the top of the fluidization chamber, and gas is recycled to the combustion chamber in an amount so that the speed of total gas flow in the fluidized coal is constant.

Abstract: A process for producing pulverous selenium from dried raw selenium by distillation, granulating the molten distillate, dripping it into water, grinding the granules, and drying the powder, in which the drying of the raw selenium before the distillation is by spray drying, the selenium granules being ground while in the form of an aqueous slurry, and the final drying of the ground selenium slurry being again effected by spray drying.

Abstract: An apparatus for the cooling of objects comprises an upright cylindrical housing having thermally insulated walls and a helical ramp surrounding a column in the housing and along which the objects pass downwardly from an inlet to an outlet. During movement along the ramp, which may be vibrated or oscillated to promote the downward movement of the objects, the latter are chilled to embrittlement temperatures. When the objects are vehicle tires, the pitch of the helical ramp is slightly greater than the diameter of the largest tires to be processed. At the bottom of the ramp the objects may pass into a bath of liquified gas serving as the cooling medium and nozzles can be provided along the lower third of the column for directing jets of the liquefied gas at the objects to be cooled.

Abstract: In a system for comminuting materials containing thermoplastics, the temperature in the comminuting chamber is monitored and a spray of cooling liquid is charged into the cutting chamber when the cutting chamber is at a temperature greater than the boiling temperature of the cooling liquid and less than the melting temperature for the thermoplastic being comminuted. By using heat of vaporization to extract heat from the cutting chamber, the likelihood of the plastic softening and/or melting and clogging the comminuting screen is substantially reduced. A higher throughput of materials is obtained because of material remaining harder. By vaporizing the liquid, the discharged comminuted material may be maintained very dry for later classifying. Preferably, the cooling liquid is discharged intermittently to keep the temperature of the comminuting chamber within predetermined upper and lower temperature limits.

Abstract: In the continuous production of paper pulp from ligno-cellulose raw material, the raw material is subjected to grinding and/or delignification by passing it in the form of small pieces between interpenetrating helicoidal surfaces driven synchronously in rotation inside a casing. The pitch of the helicoidal surfaces is arranged to provide at least one supply zone in which the material is driven downstream by rotation of the surfaces and at least one braking zone in which the material is braked.

Abstract: Material is fed into a revolving drum which has an interior configuration, preferably in the form of a helical blade, to convey the material at a controlled rate through the drum. A low temperature gas, such as nitrogen, is introduced into the drum downstream when viewed in the direction of travel of the material, in a liquid state at a controlled rate through a spray nozzle system, thereby continuously exposing the material to the cooling effect of the gas. A portion of the gas is recirculated from the upstream end to the downstream end of the drum. The material is pre-cooled in the upstream portion of the drum. After exiting from the drum, the material may be crushed or impacted and separated.

Abstract: The heating value of solid fuel is increased and the particle size decreased by passing a slurry of the fuel in liquid water at a temperature between 400.degree. F. and the critical temperature of water through a tubular attrition under conditions of turbulent flow. The product slurry is suitable for pipelining.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treatment of waste on ships and the like, in the form of solid waste and black water collected in a tank from reduced flush toilets. The solid waste is mixed with black water from the tank in a drum. Rotating knives in the drum effect the disintegration of the solid waste, and also the picking up of the waste in the drum from the bottom thereof to permit it to drop repeatedly by gravity from the upper regions of the drum. A flow of hot air is passed through the drum and hence through the dropping mixed black water and disintegrated solid waste. The axis of the drum is substantially horizontal, and may be slightly inclined with bottom ridges to inhibit the flow of liquids therealong.

Abstract: A stream of disintegrated fibrous cellulosic pulp material and steam under pressure is subjected to an instantaneous pressure reduction as said stream and steam pass through a throttling nozzle, in a throttling zone, wherein a liquid solution of a bleaching agent is admixed with said stream and which stream, admixed with bleaching agent, is then passed into an expansion zone ahead of the throttling nozzle resulting in a uniform dispersion of the bleaching agent into the fibers in the stream of fibrous cellulosic pulp material.

Abstract: A process for separation of the components of scrap lead storage batteries including crushing, and then heating the pieces while tumbling, dry screening the paste from the residual materials which are fed to a sink-float apparatus whose fluidized pulp comprises a liquid suspension of battery paste. The pH and density of the pulp are regulated in the pH range of 7-10 by addition of sulphuric acid. After sink-float separation the drained and washed materials are recovered and the pulp and wash liquid are recycled back into the system.

Abstract: A method of comminuting fresh algae which consists in carrying out a comminuting operation on said algae at a temperature lower than -20.degree.C. Preferably this temperature lies between the range -30.degree. to -100.degree. C. In carrying out the method it is advantageous for the fresh algae to be frozen at a temperature of less than -20.degree. C before being comminuted. In particular, after being broken down, the algae are comminuted by crushing into the form of a wet paste mix, the mean size of the particles in which is less than 10 micrometers.The invention also relates to apparatus for carrying out the comminuting operation which comprises a comminuting assembly and cooling means associated therewith to hold the operated temperature within said assembly at a level of -20.degree.C by means of a cooling agent. The invention furthermore extends to the algae product whenever produced by the method and apparatus aforementioned.

Abstract: In order to disperse a pigmented filtercake, i.e. break up the pigment into fine particles suspended in water, a mixture of filtercake, water and a stabilizer are subjected to ice particles. The mixture of ice particles, filtercake and water are then agitated and the particles of ice act as an abrasive to break up and disperse the pigment. The stabilizer prevents the dispersed particles from re-agglomerating. The process is continuous in that the water is bled off and flowed through an ice flaker where the ice particles are formed preparatory to return to the mixture, all until the dispersion has reached the desired degree.

Abstract: A device for cooling bulk material by low-boiling liquefied gas includes a precooling zone and a spraying zone. The precooling zone is inclined from the horizontal downwardly toward its discharge end to which is attached a rotatable drum-shaped chamber as its spraying and draining zone which is constructed as a worm conveyor. Where used for scrap tires, a spray pipe is provided at the discharge end with a ring mounted on the internal wall between the spray orifices and the discharge opening, the ring having a thickness corresponding to the average tire thickness.

Abstract: A granular carrier material and process for producing same adapted for use with pesticides. A cake is formed of an intimate mixture of 97-80% by weight attapulgite and 3-20% by weight perlite, the attapulgite and perlite being capable of passing through a 150 ASTM mesh screen. The cake is then heated to a temperature of 450.degree.-780.degree. C. and is broken to form a granular solid.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for separating metallic conductor wire from its insulation for reclamation of the metal and secondarily the insulation material. Random-size, non-uniform masses and pieces of the insulated wire are conveyed to an entrance end of a shaftless rotatable drum having helically deployed baffles along the inner surface thereof. The masses and pieces introduced to the drum initially and continuously are exposed therein to cryogenic coolant to freeze the same and render them brittle. The baffles continuously turn the frozen masses and pieces to ensure that all surfaces and areas thereof are exposed to the coolant for thorough freezing. Simultaneously, the action of the baffles and drum move the masses and pieces from the entrance end to an exit end of the drum. The super-cooled brittle masses and pieces are delivered from the exit end to a grinding apparatus where the same are reduced to particles of metal and insulation material.